Mdonya Old River Camp is run by Costal, the aircarrier. Its a bit strange that Costal went into
safaris but then on the otherhand: Costal get more passangers in their aircrafts and thats where is
some margin. Nothing wrong with it and thankfully, large camps with low budget travellers didnt
make it into Ruahaa, or at least they failed all so far. As is Selous Mdonya is run by an Italien Lady
who is super focused on client request, always helpful and very authentic. As our guide Kahimba
agreed with us, very knowledgeable as well - she spend a couple of years on lion research, if we
remember right, it was in Serengeti. She is assisted by two assisten managers, one is Sarah, a
young Danish girl who lived already some time in Dar but joined only very recent Mdonya.
The camp is simple in both: tents and all the other amneties. And it cost much less then
Jongomero does. It is very exposed to wildlife and one does see almost non stop wild life in the
morning or in the evening just next to the camp between the bush. Elephants, impalas, zebras - all
this is around.
The north of Ruahaa is very rich on game and the area is not only bush but covers plains and
baobab forests. Game is more used to vehicels and thus it’s easier to take pics - as you can see
below.
In a nutshell: the camp is simple but clean. Food is ok, well Britta didnt like it too much whereby
Jan thought it came with a couple of highlights. Great for game, nice atmosphere but misses out on
the details - which is less charming. We feel that the camp staff is not really well trained. As for our
guide Kahimba it’s different, he is very openminded, attached to clients and understand their
needs. Good guy!
One last thing: they were considered enough not to mix us with an italien family which was (of
cause) noisy and not able to speak proper english. Then they provided us with a vehicle just for the
2 of us and a seperate driver and a guide. So the guide has much more opportunities to look
around and to spot and communicate better. Then - a very good invention - they have a old can on
the back of the car which they stuff with dry elephant droppings and light so that it smokes. It does
not smell back but then reduces Tstseflies a lot!!!
The Assessment below:
Assessment Criteria
Satisfaction in %
Comments
Pool
na
Tent/ Room
70
straw mats on the floor, open bathroom with
no
much love in the decoration to see
Restaurant atmosphere
80
dinner was served away from the maincamp a
bit which was pretty nice. Rest is really more
like a “camp”.
Food
70
ok, but not outragous
Management & Staff
80
Manager very dedicated. Waitors less with
some exceptions.
Camp/ Lodge
65
well, small, and value for money but missed
out of charme
Originality of reserve
90
Diversity of reserve
90
Vehicle
70
Nissan with simple benches. But just for the 2
of us and they have a driver and a guide.
Really helpful.
Guide - communication
90
Guide - information
90
Guide - cust. orientation
90
Wildlife - quantity
85
Wildlife - diversity
90
Wildlife - extraordinary occurrences
85
Leopard which was very (!) curious,
mating Lizards
click here: BACK TO Tanzania 2011-START-PAGE